Highlands advances to LSMC Tournament Championship
Highlands boys and girls varsity basketball teams both won their first round of the Little Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament hosted by Hiwassee Dam on Tuesday and will head back to Hiwassee tonight to battle for the Championship.
Highlands versus Nantahala – Girls
Highlands Bella Wilson smiles as she breaks to the basket against Nantahala.
The Tournament kicked off with the Lady Highlanders winning a solid victory over Nantahala ending with a final 66-16.
Highlands Julia May Schmitt lays it up for a quick 2 points.
Highlands was riding a 21-point lead by the end of the first quarter, and by halftime extended the lead to 36 points with 41-5 on the scoreboard.
Highlands Ava Schmitt grabs a rebound a brings the ball down the court.
Highlands takes on Hiwassee tonight at 6 p.m. in HD. The HD Lady Eagles advanced to the Championship after defeating Blue Ridge Early College 68-50 in the first round on Tuesday.
Highlands High School Cheerleaders made the trip to show their enthusiastic support.
Highlands versus Blue Ridge Early College – Boys
Highlands Win Dyleski kicks the ball back to the outside against BREC during the first round of LSMC Tournament.
Highlands boys varsity took on BREC and won a tough game with a final 59-47. The Highlanders maintained the lead throughout the game, but the Bobcats didn’t give up and never strayed far behind.
BREC Eric Puskarich drives to the basket under pressure from Highlands Win Dyleski.
BREC trailed by 8 points at the end of the first quarter, 5 points at halftime, and 7 points at the end of the third.
Highlands Jeffrey Olvera lays it up for 2 points against BREC.
Highlands plays Hiwassee Dam in the Championship game tonight beginning at 7:30 p.m.
BREC Ethan Henson splits Highlands’ defense and scores a bucket.
Blue Ridge Early College versus Hiwassee Dam – Girls
BREC Peyton Bryson looks to shut down Hiwassee’s offense.
The Lady Bobcats took on Hiwassee Dam on their home turf and couldn’t clinch the win ending with a final of 68-50.
BREC Junior Mahalah Stewart scored her 1,000th point in the first two minutes against Hiwassee.
BREC Junior Mahalah Stewart was 4 points shy of 1,000 points and quickly took care of that within the first two minutes of the game. After draining a 3-pointer, Stewart sank a short jump shot putting her over the 1,000-point mark for a career total of 1,019.
BREC Mercedes McLaughlin scores on a fast break.
The last time these two teams faced off against each other Hiwassee won by 3 points. Looking for payback, BREC hung in there trailing by only 5 points by the end of the first and second quarters, but by the third Hiwassee lead by 11 points and eventually took the win.
BREC Brenda Martinez sets up on defense against Hiwassee.
BREC Vanessa Russell scores with a lay up.
BREC Macy Heltsley drives to the basket against Hiwassee Dam.
More game pics below:
Highlands versus Nantahala – varsity girls
Highlands Mac Woods sets up on defense playing away at Hiwassee Dam.
Highlands Reese Schmitt with a no-look pass to keep the ball moving against Nantahala.
B Bryson calls a play and sets it in motion.
Highlands Abbie Doerter scopes out Nantahala’s defense as she brings the ball down court.
Highlands Hendy Rios sinks a short jump shot for 2 points.
Highlands Hayley Borino is looking to get rid of the ball against Nantahala.
Highlands Lily Bryson makes her move to the hoop against Nantahala.
Highlands Ezra Branham eyes up the long jumper and drains it during the first round of the LSMC Tournament.
Highlands Mac Woods on a fast break against Nantahala.
Highlands varsity girls team claps as Bella Branham sinks free throw on a technical call.
Highlands versus Blue Ridge Early College – Boys
Highlands James Earp grabs a rebound.
BREC Isaiah Palestino lines up for the long jump shot against Highlands at Hiwassee Dam.
Highlands Harrison Gates sinks a short jumper.
BREC Michael Martinez drives to the hoop against Highlands.
Highlands Kaden Mitchell fakes a shot and B-lines to the basket.
BREC Tyler Green takes off to get over Highlands James Earp to shoot the jumper.
Highlands Nathan Keener sends a long cross-court pass in round 1 of the LSMC Tournament.
BREC Levi Walters inbounds the ball against Highlands.
Highlands Kason Mitchell brings the ball down court against BREC.
BREC Eric Puskarich calls out a play against Highlands.
Highlands Jeffrey Olvera facing several Bobcats looking to make a stop.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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